Things to do in Sydney this weekend

This South East Asian tradition recognises the harvest and changing of seasons, and in Cabramatta more than 90,000 people attend each year, carrying lanterns, performing traditional dances and sharing mooncakes. There's also markets, food stalls and and an evening fireworks display. 

If you need a Hogwarts fix, Potted Potter is here to help, cramming all seven books into one show. Expect your favourite characters, songs, a fire-breathing dragon, a game of Quiddich and plenty of laughs.

The Surry Hills Festival draws 60,000 people each year for a day of free family-friendly entertainment. Local venues and laneways will host live music performances, kids’ activities, art trails, food tours, and market stalls. 

Soft Centre whirrs, flashes and throbs through the cement-bound hallows of the Casula Powerhouse. The one-day festival crams an impressive amount of Vivid-esque light installations and world-class performance with a focus on Western Sydney artists into a few hours of experience. 

Head to a marketplace of spring fare at the colonial homestead Elizabeth Farm featuring some of Sydney's best producers. You can swop your homegrown produce for another's fresh greenery, get messy in gardening workshops or learn about the history of the farm.

The fifth annual ye olde celebration takes merry revellers back into the dark ages and the bloody centuries that followed. They can cheer on their champions at the jousting arena, watch knights clash on foot, visit the village markets and then the hit tavern. 

Are you in need of some TLC? Or is your body craving some high-impact movement? Whatever your wellness needs are, they’re sure to be met at this weekend of well-being workshops, workouts and health-focused markets. 

Following a stupidly popular first two years, this two-day bun fight is back with a new venue and even more burgers. Most vendors will also be doing special veggo options too, so vegetarians can join in on the two-handed fun.

The big finale for Camden’s annual town-wide festival is the Taste Food, Wine and Music Festival. This family-friendly fair will set up at Camden Town Farm on September 23 for an afternoon of taste tests, cooking demonstrations, markets and live entertainment.

This folk-grunge band aren’t afraid to turn up the distortion, yet always have addictive pop hooks underpinning everything they do. Make the clever decision and catch a head-spinningly great show from Ellie Rowsell and the guys at the Metro Theatre.

The region’s greenery will be on show for the inaugural Camden Garden Festival. The three-day festival will include an open day at Camden Community Garden, workshops where you can construct glass terrariums or macramé plant hangers, and tours of heritage listed farmhouses.

Move over My Fair Lady: the next vintage production coming to Australia is the original Evita, with Australian pop princess Tina Arena starring as Eva Perón, and Opera Australia and John Frost collaborating to revive the 1978 West End musical. 

This annual cycling festival invites cycling pros and bike riders still on their training wheels to a day of bike-related fun. There will be practical maintenance checks, workshops in bike skills, and the chance to test out some new wheels.

This is the final exhibition in a series of three yearly shows from Artspace, exploring "the body in public." The final chapter is all about the future and "the body as detached from or encompassing much more than mere physical form."

This all-ages evening of disco dancing offers parents the chance to show the kids how they did it back in their day, with retro dance classes, competitions and performances throughout the evening. Doors open from 7pm.

The chef behind some of Sydney's best restaurants will be hosting a masterclass at Carriageworks that'll showcase fresh spring veggies. Taking inspiration from his wholly vegetarian menu at Yellow, Brent Savage will cook up a four seasonal plant-based dishes.

The annual blessing of local fishing fleets recognises the men and women bringing ocean banquets to our tables and wishes them a prosperous year ahead. Sydney Fish Market will continue this happy tradition, with a day of live entertainment at Blackwattle Bay wharf.

Of the 220 submissions to the Little Sydney Lives photography competition, 20 wonderful snaps taken by kids aged 3-11 have been selected as finalists. Their work will be displayed on large canvases and exhibited in the Sandringham Gardens at Hyde Park.

Every year the Australian Botanic Garden has a sprawling display of white, pink and yellow paper daisies. It covers a total area of more than 1,700 square metres – just over the size of an Olympic swimming pool.

You can only wander the halls of this historic mansion once a year, so make time for a tour of the Georgian beauty during this open weekend. There’s multiple one-hour walking tours of the 80 illustrious rooms and the garden of rare botanicals and flowers.